Spotlight: Elder Abuse

Protecting Oregonians from Elder Abuse

Fighting elder abuse is a top priority for the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) and Attorney General Ellen F. Rosenblum. It is especially important as Oregon’s population of older residents continues to grow. In 2014, an estimated 16 percent of Oregonians were 65 or older. By 2030, that number is expected to rise to 20 percent.

2018 Elder Abuse Conference

Save the Date! The 3rd Annual Attorney General Rosenblum’s Elder Abuse Conference will take place on Thursday, November 8th and Friday, November 9th in Bend, OR at the Riverhouse, Deschutes Hotel & Convention Center. Registration is now OPEN! For questions about registration, please contact Ellen.Klem@doj.state.or.us.

2018 Wilma’s Justice Award

A National Issue

Nationally, financial abuse costs older adults billions of dollars. Various studies estimate the cost from $2.9 billion per year to many times that amount. Women were nearly twice as likely to be victims of elder financial abuse as men.

Oregon’s Response to Elder Abuse

The Oregon DOJ has taken strong steps to address and prevent this growing epidemic and hold perpetrators accountable.

In September 2016, AG Rosenblum appointed Oregon’s first statewide elder abuse prosecutor. Oregon is only the third state in the country to have a statewide prosecutor devoted entirely to elder abuse. Funding for the new Elder Abuse Unit was the AG’s highest priority for the 2016 legislative session.

The Elder Abuse Unit, led by former Malheur County District Attorney Dan Norris, works with Oregon’s 36 district attorneys and other prosecutors, law enforcement and community partners throughout the state.

Outreach to Older Oregonians

The Oregon DOJ also invests in education and outreach to help seniors avoid financial exploitation, fraud and scams. A statewide speaker program helps Oregonians recognize fraud and abuse, making them less likely to become victims.

Types of Elder Abuse

Types of elder abuse include:

financial exploitation

neglect

verbal abuse

physical abuse and abandonment

sexual abuse

seclusion and restraint

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

Victims of elder abuse may be slow to recognize and report the abuse. Too often, victims suffer in silence. For that reason, it is important to recognize the following warning signs.

Any unexplained injury, or an injury that doesn’t fit with the given explanation.

Situations where the elder is not given the opportunity to speak for herself or himself without the presence of the caregiver.

Elders who become extremely withdrawn, non-communicative or non-responsive.

Unusual depression.

Frequent arguments between the caregiver and elderly person.

Sudden changes in financial situations.

Unpaid bills, overdue rent, utility shut-off notices.

Reporting Elder Abuse and Neglect in Oregon

Possible elder abuse should be reported through Oregon’s toll-free hotline: 1-855-503-SAFE (7233) or on the DHS website ». If it is an emergency please dial 9-1-1.